LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Immigration program causing division

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Is use of the 287 (g) immigration program really where we want our money to go in Rensselaer County?

The Rensselaer Sheriff and Undersheriff have proposed, in an underhanded way, initiating a program (287 g) into the department that will cost taxpayers money, does not have a proven successful track record, has not been researched fully by the department, and adds an additional burden to the police workload.

More critically, it will ostracize the very community members that have strengthened, made more vibrant and supported Rensselaer County for years. The last thing we need is more division and hatred.

Sheriff Russo and Undersheriff Bly need to be more upfront and honest about the use of the money we have given them to support our community. They need to consider the public relations consequences of supporting such a program which extends to our businesses, co-workers, employees and neighbors.

Monies used for this program would be much better suited in helping opioid addiction, supporting business start-ups, enhancing and supporting small businesses, and providing extra support to our farmers. Agriculture is a key component in this county, and farmers are having a more difficult time surviving.

The positions in the sheriff’s department need to heed to what benefits their community, to allow trust and support among residents, and not allow their personal prejudices cloud the way they use the monies or trust allotted to them. Or that money and trust will no longer be theirs to use.

Carol A. Bell

Albany

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